I loved Palermo so much I can’t possibly sum it all up in one, two, or even three posts. So for the next several Mondays, I’m going to share travel tales from Palermo . . .

Palermondays are here!

Now you may remember that before Cherrye and I set off for our trip to Sicily, I mentioned wanting to visit the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. Well we did!

This magnificent opera house opened in 1897 in part to provide national unity for the newly formed country of Italy; remember the Risorgimento and unification of Italy only occurred in the 19th century.

Asthe largest opera house in Italy and the third largest in all of Europe, Teatro Massimo Vittorio Emanuele seats 1,350 and features 7 tiers of boxes around an inclined stage, all in the shape of a horseshoe.

The opera house was built by the architect Giovanni Battista Filippo Basile, paying homage to classic Sicilian architecture; the exterior is reminiscent of the ancient Greek temples of Selinunte and Agrigento.

I had a whole plan to see “Manon Lescaut” at that theatre in June. Now it may not go that way… but I appreciate these pics, if for no other reason than to get Sofia Coppola’s horrible “acting” at the end of Godfather III out of my mind…

It’s such a cool theatre – did you try to take a photo of the whole buidling – too big to fit in one frame!!

We went to see a show there – actually ti was a final dress rehearsal – and were in one of the boxes on the side. Pretty much all the other guests there were old men and it SO reminded me of the muppets and the old dudes in the wings who criticise everything.

Pretty damn awesome place. Would be good if they had SET time for tours thought, instead of ‘waiting until enough people turn up’…..

Yeah we didn’t even try for a tour; we were there around 5 pm on a Sunday evening in February so I can’t imagine much was possible. There *were* a lot of people around, very fashionable–definitely the fancy part of Palermo

figcharlie

04.28.2008

Do you hop over there quite often then? Swim or ferry?

figcharlie’s last blog post..saluting

Actually that was only the second time I’ve gone over to Sicily in the 5 years I’m here. And funny you should ask about swimming–the ticket-checker on the train joked about swimming when I asked how we actually got from that train to mainland Sicily (you see, we had to get off at a place that wasn’t listed on our tix so it wasn’t a stupid question, but he was less than helpful–go figure. Good thing I knew the name of the place the ferries left from!).

Palermo is one of my favourite places too – next time you plan a trip back to Sicily you should go to Mondello if you have not already been. It is in Palermo, but is a beach front ‘suburb’ on the outskirts. There are massive villa’s lining the sea front and the area is just stunning. I told bel ragazzo that I want to live there Well one can dream can’t they? Also did you go to Cefalu on your trip? You must go there next time too. So, so vey pretty.

We didn’t make it to Mondello, but it was also February, so I doubt there would’ve been much point to it–we were wearing winter jackets! And we did pass through Cefalù and wanted to stop but we just didn’t have time. Next time though

Joanne

04.28.2008

My hubby spent a month in Palermo the summer before we got married and he fell in love. With Palermo of course! I went down for a weekend while he was there and it was just magical. Sadly we have never managed to get back even though we have been to Catania and Messina since we got married. Sigh, there are just too many places to visit. We need to quit our jobs and travel for a living. Let’s get sponsors!!!

I wish I knew then what I know now! I was in Sicily 3 times. Once at age 5, 11 and 18. My 18th year was the best. I was there for 3 months.
What a life! But it always is when you are a guest! Hoping to go back one day with my family for a visit.
I stayed in Palermo with an Aunt once but they only took me to Termini Imerese, the beach and Campagnia.

I love those photos! What a beautiful building…your photos compliment the building much more than the Godfather did (although I didn’t mind looking at Andy Garcia

I wonder if the inside shown in the movie was that actual inside of the Teatro Massimo? I’m sorry I missed seeing this building the day I visited Palermo. I guess I will just have to return.

I’ve wondered about the inside too–never looked it up to find out though. We *almost* missed this too since it’s kind of off on its own as far as sites go, but I’m happy we braved the bus system to get there